Notebook holder



Sept. 29, 1931. H. H. HARNSBERGER NOTEBOOK HOLDER Original Filed July 5,1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 29, 1931.

H. H. HARNSBERGER NOTEBOOK HOLDER Original Filed July 3, 1924 4Sheets-Sheet 2 I Sept. 29, 193 1. H. H. HARNSBERGER 1,825,522

NOTEBOOK HOLDER Original Filed July 3, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 avwentozSept.,29, 1931. H. H. HARNSBERGER 1,325,522

NOTEBOOK HOLDER Original Filed July 3, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIl awbentazPatented Sept. 29, 1931 Darren sraras sear FFICE nanny H. naansnnnenn,or CBOTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE rummraen COMPANY, Inc, onNEW YORK, n. Y., a conroaarron or NEW YonK nornnoon EOLDER Applicationfiled July 3, 1924,:Seria1 No. 724,035. Renewed "February 9, 1931.

This invention relates to note book holding devices, andmoreparticularly refers to devices, suitable fobholding short-hand notebooks orsimilarcopy, used in connection with 5 typewriting machines.

, The main object of this invention is to provide adevice of thecharacter stated, having novel and improved means for feeding the sheetsof the note book as used, the action of said feeding means being morepositive and reliable than that obtainable by otherdevices heretofore inuse.

Another objectof this invention is to provide a copy holder,particularly adapted for use in connection with short-hand note books,composed of members telescoping one within the other, and affording acollapsible,yet rigid support for the note book, adapted to bepermanently installed at the rear of a-type- 2O writer, even if thetypewriter is mounted on a drop type desk. v

A further object is to provide a copyholder the construction of which issuch as to permit reary insertion and removal of a note book i such asused by typists'for taking short-hand notes, Without impairing therigidity of the holder itsnr; f V

A still further object is to provide novel and improved means formounting the short so hand book, for the purpose of inserting it in thenote book holder so as to be securely held in the proper position forthe gradual feeding of its sheets on the part ofthe operator.

With these and other objects in view, as will more clearly appear as thedescription pro- 3 with another device of a similar character,

forming the object of a co-pending application for ,patent entitled booksupporting device, filed by me June 30, 1922, Serial No. 571,91e. f

11 said application I have described a device intended for practicallythe same purpose, embodying a number of features which in practice Ihave found tobe susceptible of further improvement; and theseimprovenents, which are mostly directed towards rendering theoperation'of the device more positive and reliable, and partly towardsincreasing the strength and rigidity/0f the device, have been embodiedin the present invention, and co-operate with each other in greatlyimproving the performance of the device as a whole, and in extending thefield of its applications;

In order to facilitate understanding of the novel feature mentioned, Ishall. proceed with the description of the device illustrated in theannexed drawings, and shall particularly point out their advantages asthe several pointswill be reached in the course of the description. V

The drawings illustratethe preferred embodiment of my invention, as usedin connection with ordinary shorthand note books; however, the saiddrawings must be 'considcred as being intended for illustrative purposesonly, and not in a limiting sense, beause many of the details ofconstruction may vary from those shown; and also because, although thedeviceillustrated is particularly suitable for use in connection withstenovice in its extended position, at the rear of a'typewritingmachine;

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation ofthe same from the opposite side;

a vi" Fig. is a side view in elevation of my device in its inoperativeposition at the rear of a typewriting machine;

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view through line 5-5 of Fig. 4t;

F G is a fragmentary side sectional view in elevation of a drop typedesk, in which a typewriting machine is mounted in the ordinary manner,provided with my device at the rear, showing the possibility of closingthe desk without hinderance; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view in elevation showing one of the waysof securing a note book to its carrier previous to insertion on the bookholder;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view in elevation showing the device open,and illustrating the manner of inserting a notebook on the book holder;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front view in elevation illustrating the upperpart of the device;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side sectional view in elevation through line10-40 of Fig. 9;

Fig. ll is a similar side sectional view in elevation through line 1ll1of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the device in its closed position; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the same, with the casing in whichthe operating mechanism is mounted, thrown open for the insertion orremoval of a note book.

The general appearance of my device in its preferred form, isillustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, and from these it may be observed that thesame consists, essentially, of two main parts: a stand, 20, suitablymounted on a l ase plate .21 and secured thereto by means of an inclinedbrace 22, and a book holding member 23 slidably mounted on said stand soas to form a telescopic structure adapted to be maintained in itsextended position, as shown in Fig. 1, or adapted to be caused to assumethe inoperative or retracted position shown in Fig. 4, where one of thesaid parts overlaps the other.

One of the main objects of my invention, is to provide a notebooksupporting device, carrying an operating mechanism for turning theleaves of the book, adapted to hold the book from which notes have to betransscriped, in full view of the operator, facing the operatordirectly, and at a distance calcln lated to suit an operator of normalvision, without causing eye str in. These conditions are of course aimedat, as the ones best insuring rapid and efficient transcription, and thesame time inducing the least strain on the the operator. Practicalconsiderations also make it desirable for the device to be soconstructed, as to be readily applied in connection with any type ormake of typewrit ing machine, its setting up being practicallyinldfependent of the typewriting machine itse I have therefore adoptedthe simple arran gement shown in the drawings, where the stand on whichthe device is supported is mounted on a base plate 21, made of sheetnetal, and adapted to be placed with its forward portion 24 (Figs. l and5) directly underneath the rear feet of the typewriting machine 25. Inthis manner, the device may be placed directly behind the typewriter,thus remaining at a convenient distance from the operators eyes, and itmay be held in this position by the weight of the typewriter; therebeing no necessity of using any other fastenmg means.

This is important, both on account of the avoidance of the use of screwsor other fastening means which would be apt to mar the desk on which thedevice is placed, and 011 account of the ease with which the device maybe placed in position or removed, in a few seconds. Furthermore, thevery simplicity of this arrangement, is a contributing factor decreasingthe cost of production.

A device intended for use in connection with a typewriter placed on topof a table or desk having a stationary surface, does not necessarilyhave to be of a collapsible construction; since when the device is inuse, the book mounted thereon must be in full View of the operator,looking over and beyond the typewriter, as is shown in Fig. 1. However,typewriting machines are very often mounted on desks of the drop tabletype, where the machine may be caused to disappear under a movableportion of the desk top, when not in use, so as to permit the use of thedesk unencumbered by the machine.

This type of desk, which is represented in Fig. 6, comprises a movabletable 26, on which the typewriter 25 is mounted, pivotally mounted atthe sides at 27, and operated by the raising or lowering of the movabledesk top portion 28, in a well known manner. The figure represents thedesk in the act of being closed, and from the same it may be seen thatthe movable top portion 28 passes fairly close to the upper part of thetypewriter, so that it would be utterly impossible to close the desk,were the book-holding device held at the rear of the typewriter in itsextended position.

For this reason, I prefer to make my device in two parts, one movable inrelation to the other, and adapted to be set in such a position, wheninoperative, that the operation of a drop type desk will not beinterfered with.

In my co-pending patent application abeveareferred to, I have taken careof this requirement, by pivotally mounting the book-supporting member ona horizontal pivot at the top of the stand; this permitting to set theupper, or book-supporting member, in a downward, or folded position,over the top of the typewriting machine. Further experience, however,has led me to believe the telescoping construction shown in the presentdrawings, to be preferable, being less apt to interfere withthe-typewriter, and being simpler and easier to operate.

In said Fig. my device is shown mounted; in position at 29, at the rearof the typewriter, in its retracted position, allowing free operation ofthe desk, as illustrated.

The collapsible construction of the device is obtained, as stated, bycausing'one of its main parts to telescopewithin the other. In thepresent case, thelower member, or stand 20, is made in the form of plateembossed with'a shallow C section, best seen in" Fig. 5, provided withtwo outwardly directed longitudinal flanges- 30, The upper, orbook-holding member, comprises a plate 23, the edges of which are bentrearwardly and inwardly at 32, 33, to slidably interlock with flanges80, 31, respectively, so that a telescope ing connection becomesestablished.

Plate 23 is reinforced at the rear longitudinal" bars by two 0.1:,06,project ng within the shallow deprd- .non of the Cshaped part 20. At the,rear of said part 20, is mounted a spring controlled shaft36,-carryingtwo step lugs 37, 38,.tending to remain-inthe position shown in Fig. 3,"so tlnit-when' the book-holding member is in its r and position,thelower edge of bars 34, 55, rests against the said stoolugs, and thedevicermains set in its extended position,

Shaft 36 is integral or provided with a hand control lever 39, by meansof which the shaft may be rocked ina clockwisedirection. By so operatingthe shaft,,sto-p lugs 37, 38, will move away from bars 34, 35, and thebook-holdingmember will become free to fall to its lower position,shownjin 1:, by the action of its own-weight. Impact rcceiving means arepreferably provided, to prevent unnecessary noise, era too'violentshock, when the book-holding member strikes bottom; and a simglecontriyance to thisend is shown in F 2 in the form of bow spring 40attached at ll to plate 21, directly ufnderneath thebook-holding member,acting as a bumper absorbing the impact thereof.

A. note-book 42 is N ly mounted on the book-holding member, as v ill belater specilied, and set in operative position with respect to theoperating meohanisnr This con' sists, essentiall of arotatable shaft 43,mounted across the top and in frontof the exposed page 44; of the bookprovided with one or more circular contact members 45,

held with suitable pressurefabutting a ainst" the surface of said NEWS;andan o aerating mechanism controlling theoperation of said shaft. Therelative positions of-theseparts is shown in Fig. 10, where it 1s seenthat rotation of shaft 43 in a cloc wise direction causes the outer leaf4 against which members 45 abut, to move upwardly and fall over thebackof the device, thus exposing the next sheet 46 to VlGW. L a

y In the device forming the object of my copending applicationabovereferred to, the contact member causing the. gradual ant successivefeeding of the sheets or leaves of the note-book, is a rubber apron orbelt, the motion of which is translatory rather than circular; but thecharacter ofthe feeding means employed, is not to be limited to anyparticular type, since feeding means of va rious designs will answer;also, it may be here noted,the idea of feeding a sheet of paper by meansof a rolling ortraveling friction. member, is, broadly speaking, notnew. i i

The feature which is new, and important, in the, arrangement adopted, isa way of mountingthe feeding member insuring at all times a positivefeed, in connection with a note-book of the character specified.

F or a device of this character to be practical,ir is necessary that allparts of a page become gradually exposed to View; therefore it isnecessary, for the operating mechanism, to c'oncealas little as possibleof the page I underneath, so thatthe writing space may be utilized. tobest advantage. For this reason, the line of contact between the feedingmember and'the underlying leaf, is caused to be quite at the top of thepage, as shown, so that possibly only one or two lines at most ofwriting space at the top of, the page will be left blank when takingnotes.

However, ordinary, stenographefis notebooks, consist of quite'a numberof sheets folded together in;a single fold, so that the pages at themidde of the book start at a point about one-quarter ,of an inch lowerthan the outer pages, or even more. As page after page is turned over,the thickness of the book decreases, and since the feeding member mustbe maintained inconstant contact therewith,

it follows hat the feeding member must be made movable towards the book,that is, the contact must be maintained while the thicl ness of the bookdecreases. This may be assured in a number of ways, for instance byemploying resilient means for creating the pressure necessary to createthe necessary frictional contact. If the feeding members position inrelation-to the underlying book, at the beginningof the operation, issuch that the line of contact, is about three-eights of an inch fromthetop of the'page, as shown in F i l, and if in order to take up thedifigradually occurring in the thickness of the book, the feeding memberis caused to travel right across in a transversal direc tion, when themiddle of the book is reached,

the feeding member is quite likely to abut the sheet, which issubstantially, or actually out of contact with the feeding member.

In the device described in my co-pending application above-referred to,the shaft of the feeding member is carried by a frame which is pivotallymounted to allow movement of the shaft from front to rear; but saidframe is pivoted at a point above the shaft, and forward, so that whenthe shaft moves against the book, it gradually assumes higher and higherpositions. I have found this to be a very serious drawback to theefficient operation of the device, inasmuch as this feature stillfurther accentuates the tendency of the line of contact to graduallymove to a point above the binding line, which I have just mentioned.

It is therefore important, that the feeding member be mounted in a waywhich will assure the line of contact with the underlying sheet, beingpermanently below the folding or binding line, so that the feeding ofthe sheets may proceed in a continuous and regular manner, frombeginning to end.

This end may be achieved in a number of ways; but since the pivotalmounting of the frame carrying the feeding member offers a simple andconvenient means of producing the desired result, I prefer to retain itin the present device, but in a suitably modified form.

Accordingly, shaft 43 is mounted in a frame 47, which is pivotallymounted at 48, at a point above the book at the rear; so that as thethickness of the book decreases, the feeding member moves along adownwardly directedv arc, and will cause the contact line to alwaysremain past the binding point of any given sheet. To assist in thefolding back of the sheets, as they are gradually fed upwardly by thefeeding member, the frame is preferably formed with a curved upwardlyinclined front surface i9, gradually forcing the sheets towards the rearof the device, un til free to fall back due to their own elasticity andweight. ihis action of surface 49 will become apparent by observing theoutline of sheet 14 in F 10.

ihe movement of the feeding member is always eilectcd in the samedirection, and its travel, and the extent thereof, each time that a.portion of a sheet is caused to move upwardly, are preferably controlledby the operator, to suit hi or her convenience. Therefore I provide akey operated controlling mechanism, and means for adjusting the range ofits operation, the main objects in view being convenience of operation,and simplicity of design.

At this point also it may be stated that motion of the feeding member inone direction may be produced in a number of ways, as any competentmechanic well knows; by means of a controlling member actuated always inthe same direction, or by means of a member movable in two oppositedirections; or by any suitable mechanical expedient or means.

Together with a mechanical arrangement which I have selected on accountof its simplicity, and which is admittedly susceptible of change invarious directions, I have incorporated some features which I considerimportant apart from. the mechanism itself, and which I consider to benew and integral part of this invention.

One of these features concerns the manner of controlling the operationof the device. In devices of this character, a key lever is ordinarilyemployed, pivoted on a horizontally crosswise pivot, and operated bystriking the key downwardly.

A key lever of this description is shown, for instance, in the drawingsappertaining to my copending application, and while its operation isfairly satisfactory, I have found that the speed of the operator couldbe improved by adopting the form of control shown in connection with thepresent device.

By referring to Figs. 2, 4, 5, it will be observed that this arrangementcompriscs a horizontal shaft 50 mounted from front to rear alongside ofthe typewriting machine, carrying a hand control lever 51 mounted at itsfront end, upwardly directed at one side of the typewriters keyboard.The operator strikes this lever from time to time with the side of thehand, forcing the same outwardly, and therefore causing angular motionof the shaft. At the other end of the shaft, suitable means are providedfor transmitting this motion to the operating mechanism, as I will laterdescribe, and spring means are also provided for returning the shaft andlever to their normal position.

In this manner, the operator is sure to strike the lever every time,simply by an extra side movement of the hand, entailing no necessitywhatever of aiming at any particu' lar point, or of exerting any specialamount of attention; so that his or her attention remains concentratedupon the reading of the notes, and the operating of the typewriter inthe usual manner;

The extent of the motion of the feeding member, to which the movement ofshaft 50 is ultimately transmitted, is determined by the extent of theangular motion of said shaft; therefore, by regulating the angulartravel of the shaft, the amount of paper fed at each stroke isaccordingly regulated.

I provide therefore adjusting means of any suitable character,permitting lever 51 to move more or less, and a suitable arrangement tothis end is illustrated in Figs. 2', 4:, 5. In the same it is seen thatshaft 50 carries a cross arm 52, provided with an adjustable screw 53,which strikes the surface of plate 21 when lever 51 is moved outwardly.By causing the stem of said screw to project more or less from the crossarm, therefore,

ferred to I have described an arrangement embodying such a feature.

Upon further experience, however, I have found that this means ofcreating the necessary pressure, is apt to be not entirely satisfactoryat all stages of the operation, unless fect of the variations graduallytaking place in the thickness of that part of the note-book againstwhich the feeding member abuts. Such variations will naturally bereflected by variations in the pressure exerted by the spring "or othermeans used, which may be suitable when a new book is inserted on theboolcholder, but may become inadequate as between the exposed sheet andone or more of the underlying'sheets, which may cause the outer sheet topull up one or more of the underlying sheets at one time.

Now, it is obvious that the pressure must at times be sufficient to feedthe outer sheet as the operator requires it; at the same time, saidpressure must never be such as to I cause the feeding of morethan onesheet at a time. It would not be quite exact to state that the pressureshouldbe uniform at all times, because in fact more pressure is requiredfor turning the pages as the book decreases in thickness, than isrequired at the be ning; but neither is it necessary to maintain thepressure exactly at a given figure for each stage of the operation.there being naturally a certain leeway which may be taken advantageof'in designing the device. In a general way it may be stated, thatwhile it is desirable to cause the pressure to increase as the thicknessoft-the book'decreases, yet it is not strictly necessary to do so; it issuflicient that the pressure exerted be at all times sufficient to feedthe sheets offer ing the most resistance, in a reliable and continuousmanner. If the pressure is limited to this requirement, it is not liableto be execssure in an OlOJGCtlOHZllJlG sense, when feeding,

the outer sheets. a

In the construction shown in the draw in which I will presently explain,the pressure created does not even increase with the decreasing of thethickness; on the con trary, it decreases, the design of the arrangementhaving been influencedby other cons d crations. But in practice theresult'remains that the pressure obtained is sufiicientto op crate thelast pages ofthe book; itis perhaps a trifle excessive when the firstfew pages of the book are unfolded; but it is never objectionable in thesense of causing the feeding of more than one sheet at a time; i

I attribute this result to the fact that while i V a spring is used,indirectly, to maintain the' feeding member in contact with the underly}i. ing sheet, yet the actual frictional contact enmeans are provided tocounterbalance the ef-' abling the feeding member to was smit its motionto the sheet, is independent of, said spring, and is caused by aforcewhich is practically uniform throughout, such as might be caused by avertically movable counterweight.

Such force is exerted pulling action of the flexible element, which istransmitted to the feeding member in.

such a way as to first cause a tendency in said feeding member to pressagainst the under-' lying page, and then to operate the feeding memberwhen the resistance to this fractional; transitory motion becomessufficient to cause its termination. A double action is thereforeperformed by the force originally exerted by the operator, in firstcreating the necessary frictional contact, and then causing the feedingaction to take place.

This result may be attained in Various ways, but in a general sense itmaybe stated that it will follow a construction where the feeding memberis mounted on a frame which is movable in relation to a point ofsupport, and where the actuating force is appliedito the feeding memberin such a way as to'tend to move the frame in the direction ofthe sheetto be fed, owing to the reaction induced in its point'of support; g

One of the embodiments of this principle is shown in the drawings, and.may be observed by referring to Fig. 11. On account of considerationswhich I will point out at a later stage of this description, I preferqtouse a pawl and ratchet mechanism for producing the rotation of thefeeding member. As

directly owing to the" previously explained, the feedingmember comprisesa shaft 43, which is' rotatably J mounted on a frame 47, which' is inits turn pivotally mounted at 4.8 to the book holding The naturaltendency offthe frame member.

is to move downwardly, holding the feeding a member against the surfaceof theunderly ng sheet 44.

At one end of shaft 43,externally to frame 47, is mounted 'a pinion 59,in mesh with a gear 60, loosely mounted on a stud 61 attached to saidframe. Alongside said gear, on the same stud 61, is also rotatablymounted a drum 56, to which, as we have seen, the end of flexibleelement 54 is attached. Said drum has a hollow, within which is placed ahelical spring 62, having one of its ends secured to stud 61 and theother to the peripheral surface of the hollow in said drum, said springtending to cause rotation of said drum in a clockwise direction.

Said drum carries a pawl 63, engaging the teeth of gear 60 when saiddrum is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction,

but allowing the free rotation of said drum in relation to said gear,when the drum is retating in a clockwise direction. Said pawl ismaintained against the surface of the gear by a leaf spring 64.

A pull exerted on wire 54, obviously causes rotation of drum 56 in acountercloclnvise direction, and this in its turn causes rotation ofgear 60, and consequently rotation of pinion 59, shaft 43 and feedingmember 45, in a clockwise direction. Rotation of inc .1- ber 45 in thisdirection, causes the feeding of the sheets, as previously explained.

However, it will be observed that stud 61 is eccentric to pivot 18. Anydownwardly directed force applied to stud 61 will cause a turning momentof the frame around its pivot, causing the feeding member to pressagainst theunderlying surface.

It therefore can be seen, that a pull. exerted on wire 5% in a downwarddirection, such as takes place upon the operation of lever 51, willcreate a tendency in frame 47 to rotate in a clockwise direction, sincesaid pull may be considered the equivalent of a downwardly directedforce applied against stud 61 through the intermediary of drum 56.

The desired condition of creating the necessary frictional contact, andproducing the feeding action by means of the same force, is thereforerealized by this comparatively simple arrangement. As stated before, thepressure exerted by the feeding member against the underlying surfacedecreases as the thickness of the book decreases, because the leverageof the pulling force becomes gradually smaller in relation to pivot 4-8;however, the difference between the two extreme positions of the feedingmember due to the thickness of the book, is comparatively small, anddoes not influence the pressure exerted to any great extent. On theother hand, proper location of stud 61 in relation to pivot 48, willdeterminethe amount of average pressure produced, and experience willfurnish indications as to the best horizontal distance or leveragebetween 61 and 48, to be adopted in practice.

We have thus created a condition where a practically uniform pressurecreated against the pages of the book by the feeding member, as thefeeding takes place, this pressure being, owing to the leverage adopted,the one best suited to produce a sufficient but not excessive frictionalcontact; in other words we have created a condition close y resemblingthe feeding by hand, where the thumb is first pressed against thesurface of the sheet, and is then moved in the feeding direction, whilethe pressure is maintained.

The construction indicated, while not realizing a condition where thepressure is increased rather than decreased with the decreasing of thethickness of the book, is preferable for reasons of design, so as topreserve the compactness and small size of the device. It will heobserved that if the combined weight of frame 47 and the feeding membercarried thereby is suflicient to create the desired friction between therollers and the underlying sheet, it may be unneeessary to add to thisaction the pressure exerted by the pull of the flexible element;therefore, in this case, the direction of application of the pullingforce may be substantially in line with the pivot upon'which frame 47 ismounted so as not to noticeably affect the pressure exerted by thepivotally mounted structure upon the sheet. Also in this case, while anauxiliary spring might also be employed, a fairly uniform pressure isobtained in an exceedingly simple manner.

The drawings also illustrate a very convenieuz' manner of transmittingthe motion of shaft 50 to the operating mechanism. Independently of themannerin which the feeding of the paper is effected, it is obvious thatthe connection between the shaft and the operating mechanism" must besuch as to allow the motion of the book holder relative to its stand,without hindrance, and without entailing the necessity of additionaloperations.

This applies whether the book-holding: member is mounted to the stand byarticulated connection, as shown in my (Jo-pending application, orwhether the connection is by telescoping arrangement, as in the presentcase. For the sake of SlITIPliClty, I profor to use a. flexibleelen'ient controlled by shaft 50, and exerting a pull on the actuator ofthe operating mechanism when lover Si is moved outwardly.

This flexible element, designated by numeral 54, is attached to-a loveintegral with, or attached to shaft 50, at the rear, and participatingof the angular motion of the shaft. Thus outward movement of love I?! istransformed into a pullexerted on flexible element by lever said pull.being in its turn transmitted to drum 56, to which the other end offlexible element is attached. through the intermediary of an idle pulley57, over which element 54 is caused to pass.

-Tlll 3i(ll)l8 eloinentmust he inortensible' as well as flexihle, andmust have a high ten sile resistance, in order to'p'rovide continuo'usand reliable service; and for this purpose I prefer to use cat gut, suchas usedfor musical strings, although metallic wire would also answer.However, it is necessary to pre vent th possibility of the wire becomingentangled, or bent, or damaged, so as to preserve its flexibility, andso-that the :device may be operated at all times without delay. The newfeature above referred to is intended to take care of these conditions,and cons sts in applying a flexible sheath 58, en closino; the flexibleelement from one endto the other, guiding it all through. This flexiblesheath is preferably made of spring wire closely wound, to produce a shei or conduit whic. is extremely flexible, and. at the same time iselastic, easily bent around, but constantl tending to resume itsnaturally straight condition when the opportunity is given. r V v Quaccount of its function, flexible sheath .fiSactually constitutes aconnection between the lower part of the stand, and the upper part ofthe book-holding member running alongside of the device,,as 1, 2,clearly show; and on account of its flexible nature,

- .when the book-holding member is released,

from catches 37, 38 by the action of control lever 39, this member caninstantly fall to its inoperative position, shown in Fig. l,

sheath 58 forming into ,an. easy curved, shown, .WlilllOUli any sharpbends. As part 23 is again raised to its operative position, sheath 58resumes its straight condition of its own accord, without showing theleast permanent deformation.

Sheath 58 is therefore a protective mem her for the flexiblewire, whichmaintains it at all times free of entanglements .or sharp bends, whichinsures its free andeasy operation by guiding it throughout its length,

3 and which adds to the appearance of the machine, at the same timecausing no hindrance to its operation.

An important detail in the operation of the device, is the insertionandthe removal of a note book, which must easily and readily be made.Also, it is important to design the device, and the means for holdingthe book in place, in a manner calculated to insure positive action atalltimes, and a firm hold on the book itself.

These details aresubstantially the same as those shown in mypreviouspatent applica The operatmg mechanism, and frame ti on. 4-7, a rei'nouuted in a casing 65, which is pivptallv mounted atone side of part23,, by means of a hinge member 66, having a longitudinal pivot 67 Saidhinge is-preferably of the spring type,being provided with a spiralspring 68, tending to maintain the casing in its open position, shown inFigs. 8, 13.

At the other side, the casing may be secured in position byaspring catch69 engaging a pin 70. By pressing catch 69, the casing'will be thrownopen, and. the entire surface of book-holder 23' will become exposed andacccssible. Saidpart 23-has its lower edge upturned at 71, to provide asupport for the book carrier 7 2, to which the book is attached inasuitable manner, i

A short pin 7 3 preferably is provided, projecting from the surface ofpart 23, engaging a corresponding opening in the book *arrier orplate72. (not shown). being in its open position, the book-carrier,

together with its attached book, is placed with its lower edge uponsupport 71, and is then swung against the surface ofpartQS, in themanner illustrated in Fig. 8; casing is then closed, andthe device isready for opera-- tion. The object of pin 73 is to engage the plate 7 2so as to prevent its upward shifting due to the force exerted againstthe book by the. feeding member. i

hen part 23 isin its lower, or inoperative position, the book carriedthereby is concealed from view, and it is necessary, in order to starttranscribing, to raise part 23. Its upper edge is therefore turnedrearwardly as at 74, forming a recesswithin which the tip of the fingersof the operator may be inserted to takehold ofand to lift said part 23.

7 At the same time, said upper edge forms a curved support for the thebook, 75, I

The bookis secured on to the plateor carrier 7 2 in any suitable manner;however, I prefer to adopt the arrangement shown in Fig, 7, where itappears that a note book 7 6, provided with binding clips 7 7 formedwith a loop or eye 78, is used. Said loop or eye overturned leaves ofportion, which is transversal to the face of thebook after the fashionof an ordinary hinge. Thebook remains thus suspended to the bookcarrier, said book carrier in its turn. providing a metal to metalconnection with the device. 1 The book may be left connected to the bookcarrier while notes are being written, since the book carrier provides.a

stiff backing which greatly facilitates proper holding of the book.

To. further" facilitate the insertion of the book carrier in position,the sides of part 23 are formed withgforwardly extending lugs 82,guiding the plate, 7 2, when the book carrier is set up as shown in Fig.8.

The bookis held in positionby the pres- Casing 65 sure exertedagainst'it by the feeding member; this pressure being derived,indirectly, from thetcnsion of spring 62, tending to wind up element 54on drum 56. Furthermore, its leaves are prevented from fluttering, sothat its front page is held flat and exposed to view, by a spring crossbar 83, pivotally attached to the sides of casing by arms SI, and heldpressed against the face of the book by a spring 85.

In its standard form, the device is held in position simply by insertingits base plate 21 under the feet of the typewriting machine; but it isobvious, that the device may be made, if desired, adapted for directattachment to the frame of the typewriter itself, or else it may be madeadapted to be supported on the desk in some other manner.

In my co-pending application No. 571,914, I have pointed out the factthat in operating this type of devices, it is desirable to feed a fewlines at a time, and even half page at a time, leaving the copystationary while the portion thus exposed is being transcribed. I havealso explained how, on account of the relatively long feed required, ifa circular feeding member of a small diameter is employed, it becomesnecessary to so control the feeding member that a relatively shortangular motion of the operating lever, is transformed into a relativelylarge angular motion of the feeding member, which might even have torotate one or more revolutions.

This is the reason which has led me also in this case to use powertransmitting means calculated to provide the necessary ratio between thefirst and the ultimate movers although it is obvious that also in thisrespect my device is susceptible of change in a number of ways.

The feeding member comprises, as stated, a shaft 43 carrying the contactmember or members. In order to obtain a light construction, and at thesame time good fricsaid shaft.

tional contact and positive action, I prefer to use the constructionshown, where a plurality of disc shaped members, designated by numerals45, 45, 45", 45, are mounted on Said disc shaped members are preferablymade of rubber, or with a rubber periphcrical section, and are formedwith notches 87 causing their periphery to acquire an outline similar tothat of a gear, composed of a number of radial prongs 88. The broken outline thus obtained, produces a yielding surface permitting to two ormore of the prongs to engage the underlying surface at one time, and agood frictional contact becomes thus established.

In the foregoing description I have clearly set forth the constructionand operation of my device; and in so doing I have endeavored to analyzethe purpose of the various elements involved, rather than their specificform, being aware that similar functions may be fulfilled by mechanicalelements differently constructed and arranged. While the drawingsrepresent the prefered embodiment of my invention, therefore, the samewill have to be considered as intended for illustrative purposes only,and not in a limiting sense.

It is accordingly my intention to carry my invention into practice inany way or manner which considerations of design or manufacture maysuggest, and which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a note bookcomprising a plurality of superimposed sheets, means for holding thesame in position, and feeding means adapted to successively engage andunfold the said sheets, of a carrier for said feeding means, adapted tohold the same in abutment with the surface of each succeeding sheet arelatively short distance from the folding edge thereof, said carrierbeing movable towards said book and away from the said folding edge, asthe thickness of the book decreases.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a note book, of feeding means for abutting against the outer surfaceof said book, and a carrier for said feeding means, pivotally mounted ata point above and behind the surface of said holder.

In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holder for acopy sheet, of feeding means adapted to abut against the surface of saidsheet, a pivotally mounted carrier therefor, means for operating saidfeed ing means, associated with said carrier, and controlling meanstherefor, holding said carrier and feeding means pressed against thesurface of said sheet, while actuating the said operating means.

4-. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member abutting against the surfacethereof, of a pivotally mounted carrier for said feeding member, aunidirectionally operative mechanism mountedon said carrier operatingsaid feeding member, and a flexible element actuating said mechanism.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member abutting against the surfacethereof, of a pivotally mounted carrier for. said feeding member, aunidirectionally operative mechanism mounted on said carrier operatingsaid feeding member, and means for actuating said mechanism, causingsaid carrier to move towards the surface of said sheet.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member abutting against the surfacethereof, of a carrier for said feeding member, a pivotal attachment forsaid carrier, a pawl and ratchet mechanism operating said feedingmember, mounted on said car rier eccentrically of said pivotalattachment, and a flexible element actuating said pawl and ratchetmechanism.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, acopy holding member mounted in telescopic relation thereto, an operatingmechanism carried by said copy holding member, a controlling mechanismtherefor mounted on said stand, and flexible power transmitting meansconnecting said controlling and operating mechanisms, said flexiblemeans being of a length sufficient to permit shifting of said copyholding member to its extended position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, acopy holding member mounted in telescopic relation thereto, an operatingmechanism carriedby said copy holding member, comprising a movablefeeding member abutable against the surface of sheets carried by saidcopy holding member, and adapted to move said sheets, a controllingmechanism therefor mounted on said stand, flexible power transmittingmeans connecting said controlling and operating mechanisms, and aflexible tubular guiding member for said flexible means, said flexiblemeans and guiding member being of a length sufflcient to permit shiftingof said copy holding member to its extended position.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, acopy holding member mounted thereon in telescopic relation thereto, apage turning mechanism carried by said copy holding member springcontrolled means for maintaining said copy holding member in itsextended position, an operating member, and an extensible operativeconnection between said operating member and said mechanism.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, acopy holding member mounted thereon in telescopic relation thereto, apage turning mechanism carried by said copy holding member, springcontrolled means for maintaining said copy holding member in itsextended position, means for operating said spring controlled means, torelease said member, an operating member, and an extensible operativeconnection between said operating member and said mechanism.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, abook holding member mounted thereon in a telescopic relation thereto, acasing carried by said book holding member mounted on a longitudinalpivot at one side thereof, and a page turning mechanism mounted insaidcasing.

12. In a device of the class described, a book holding member, a casingmounted thereon on a longitudinal pivot at one side on in a telescopicrelation thereto, a

thereof, a frame mounted within said casing on a horizontal pivot, afeeding member rotatably mounted in said frame, and an operatingmechanism therefor, comprising elements rotatably mounted on said frameat a point radially detached from said horizontal pivot.

13. In a device of the class described, a book holding member, a casingmounted thereon on a longitudinal pivot at one side thereof, a framemounted within said casing on a horizontal pivot, a feeding memberrotatably mounted in said frame, an operating mechanism therefor,comprising elements rotatably mounted on said frame at a point radiallydetached from said horizontal pivot, and means under the control of theoperator controlling said operating mechanism.

14. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereon in a telescopic relation thereto, a casing carried bysaid book holding member mounted on a longitudinal pivot at one sidethereof, a frame mounted within said casing on a horizontal pivot, afeeding member rotatably mounted in said frame, an operating mechanismtherefor, means controlling said operating mechanism mounted on saidstand, and a flexible power transmitting element connecting saidcontrolling to said operating means.

15. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereon in a telescopic relation thereto, a casing carried bysaid book holding member mounted on a longitudinal pivot at one sidethereof, a frame mounted within said casing on a horizontal pivot, apage turning mechanism mounted in said frame, means controlling saidmechanism mounted on said stand, a flexible power transmitting elementconnecting said controlling means to said mechanism, and a flexibletubular guiding element for said flexible. connecting element, saidflexible connecting and guiding elements being of a length sufficient topermit shifting of said book holding member to its extended position.

16. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereonin a telescopic relation thereto, a casing pivotallymounted on said book holding member, a page feeding member rotatably.

"mounted in said casing, operating means therefor, means mounted on saidstand controlling said operating means, a flexible power transmittingelement connecting said controlling and operating means, and a flexibletubular guiding element for said flexible conheating element.

17. In a device ofthe class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted therea e turning mechanism mounted on said 03k holding member,controlling means therefor mounted on said stand, a flexible elementconnecting said controlling means to said page turning mechanism, aflexible tubular guiding element for said connecting element, saidflexible connecting and guiding elements being of a length sufficient topermit shifting of said book holding member to its extended position,and releasable spring controlled means maintaining said book holdingmember in its extended position.

18. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereon in a telescopic relation thereto, a page turningmechanism mounted on said book holding member, controlling meanstherefor, a flexible element connecting said controlling means to saidpage turning mechanism, a flexible tubular guiding element for saidconnecting element, said flexible connecting and guiding elements beingof a length sufficient to permit shifting of said book holding member toits extended position, releasable spring controlled means maintainingsaid book holding member in its extended position, and means under thedirect control of the operator for operating said controlling means.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a copy sheet, and a feeding member abutting against the surfacethereof, of a pivotally mounted carrier for said feeding member, aunidirectionally operative mechanism mounted on said carrier operatingsaid feeding member, and means actuating said mechanism.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, abook holding member mounted thereon in a telescopic relation thereto, acasing pivotally mounted on said book holding member, and a page turningmechanism mounted in said casing.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet, of a feeding member adapted to abut against thesurface of a sheet carried thereby and a pivotally mounted carrier forsaid feeding member, said feeding member tending to remain in itsposition of abutment due to its own weight and to that of said carrier.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member adapted to abut against thesurface thereof, of a carrier for said feeding member, the combinedweight of said feeding member and carrier tending to maintain saidfeeding member in its position of abutment, a mechanism operating saidfeeding member in the feeding direction, and manually operable meansactuating said mechanism.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member adapted to abut against thesurface thereof, of a carrier for said feeding member, the combinedWeight of said feeding member and carrier tending to maintain saidfeeding member in its position of abutment, a unidirectionally operativemechanism operating said feeding member in the feeding direction, andmanually operable means actuating said mechanism.

24. In a device of the class-described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet and a rotatable feeding member abutting against thesurface thereof, of an operating lever, a rotatable element controlledthereby and operative connections between said rotatable element andsaid feeding member, transmitting motion from the former to the latterat an increased angular ratio.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet and a rotatable feeding member abutting against thesurface thereof, of an operating lever, a unidirectionally operativemechanism controlled thereby, comprising a rotatable element, andoperative connections between said rotatable element and said feedingmember transmitting motion from the former to the latter at an increasedangular ratio.

26. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stand, aholder for a copy sheet mounted thereon in a telescopic relationthereto, a casing movably mounted on said holder and a sheet feedingmechanism mounted on said casing.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet and a feeding member adapted to abut against thesurface thereof, of a carrier for said feeding member movably mounted onsaid holder, an operating mechanism mounted on said carrier actuatingsaid feeding member, a flexible element actuating said operatingmechanism, and manually operable means actuating said flexible element.

28. In a device of the class described, a stand, a copy holder mountedthereon forming an extensible and collapsible structure therewith, apage turning mechanism carried by said copy holder, a controllingmechanism therefor, and an extensible operative connection between saidcontrolling and said operating mechanism.

29. In a device of the class described, a stand, a copy holder mountedthereon, forming an extensible and collapsible structure therewith, apage turning mechanism carried by said copy holder, a controllingmechanism therefor, and a flexible operative connection between saidcontrolling and said operating mechanism.

30. In a device of the class described, stand, a book holding membermounted thereon, forming an extensible and collapsible structuretherewith, a casing movably mounted on saidbook holding member, and apage turning mechanism mounted in said casing.

31. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereon, forming an extensible and collapsible structuretherewith, a casing carried by said book holding member mounted on alongitudinal pivot at one side thereof, a frame mounted Within saidcasing on a horizontal pivot, a feeding member rotatably mounted on saidframe, an operating mechanism therefor, means controlling said operatingmechanism mounted on said stand, and an extensible operative connectionbetween said controlling means and said mechanism.

32. In a device of the class described, a stand, a book holding membermounted thereon, forming an extensible and collapsible structuretherewith, a casing pivotally mounted on said book holding member, apage turning mechanism mounted in said casing, and means under thecontrol of the operator for actuating said mechanism.

38. In a device of the class described, the combination with a holderfor a copy sheet, and a rotatable feeding member abutting against thesurface thereof, of an operating lever, a unidirectionally operativemechanism, controlled thereby, comprising a rotatable element, and agearing interposed between said rotatable element and said feedingmember, transmitting motion from the former to the latter at anincreased angular ratio.

34. In a device of the class described, the combination with anextensible and collapsible frame comprising a stationary and a movablemember, a page turning mechanism mounted on said movable member and acon: trolling member, of a deformable actuating connection between saidcontrolling member and said mechanism, said connection permittingmovement of said movable member from one of its extreme positions to theother, and being operative When said movable member reaches itsext-ended position.

35. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a notebook comprising a lurality of superimposed sheets folded in bulk to forman upper and a lower book section, and feeding means adapted tosuccessively engage and unfold the said sheets, of means for mountingthe said feeding means, causing the same to abut against the surface ofeach succeeding sheet a relatively short distance from the folding edgethereof, and causing said feeding means to be gradually inwardlydisplaced, lengthwise of said book, by relatively minute quantities, soas to sub stantially counterbalance the displacement of the folding edgeof each sheet in relation to that of the next outer sheet.

36. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a holderfor a copy sheet, feeding means abutting against the surface of saidsheet, and a pivotally mounted carrier for said feeding means, of meansoperating said feeding means, adapted to produce a HARRY H. HARNSBERGER.

